For some time now I have been driving by this coffee & tea shop, and today I decided to take the…read moreroad less traveled, Starkey Road, and pay this place a visit. And what I found completely amazed me, and exceeded my highest of expectations. After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea, near Tanglewood Mall, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. The Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea on Starkey Road in Roanoke, VA, is a former bank that was converted into a coffee shop by Blake Construction, a company that also handles many of their projects. This location opened in 2012, after the original downtown Roanoke store was established in 1990 by founder Dave Johnson. The Starkey Road location featured a unique renovation, including turning the old vault into a walk-in cooler and adding a drive-up window.  When I entered the Coffee Shop today, I was attracted by its magical cozy ambiance and by the fine lines and curves of its renovation architectural design. Known for its artisanal coffee blends and curated tea selections, I was also impressed with their menu, that besides freshly baked pastries, also included a nice egg variety plates for breakfast and creative sandwiches for lunch. The place offered a cozy retreat for coffee enthusiasts. College students could take advantage of their Free WiFi to research and write their reports using their laptops. Friends could meet there to spend quality time talking to each other. Entrepreneurs could use the place to brainstorm business ideas over a cup of savory coffee. Art enthusiasts could view the artists display works, and even purchase one to add to their collection. When it was my turn to make my order, I approached the counter and a bright and friendly young lady took my order. I ordered a breakfast plate with two fried eggs over easy, bacon, and white toast, with a large Mocha Coffee to drink. The cook did an excellent job cooking my food, just how I had asked it done. At the entrance there was a Community Bulletin Board with different announcements and advertisements. I happened to find one for this year's performance of the Nutcracker at the Burgland Center, which I had been wondering about when ticket sales were selling. In conclusion, I highly recommend this coffee shop, not only for its great coffee and tea, for its food menu, for its exceptional customer service, and cozy atmosphere, that together make for an extraordinary dining experience.

Over the top incredible service. My mom and I are frequenters, and I get a large PSL every time I…read morecome through Roanoke! They hands down have the best out there, and always the perfect light ice temperature lattes. Today, we had a little explosion (matcha everywhere...) and yet the baristas immediately came to help and mop and made a new one before he even finished mopping. HUGE shoutout Dakota for your sweet demeanor and all your help!!!

One of the best espresso drinks!! The amazing customer service and art work was a huge plus!! Thank…read moreyou RND, your cappuccinos made the rest of our trip worthwhile!!

Great coffee, hip vibe, comfortable seating and lovely staff. Good place to catch up with a friend…read morein a relaxing setting. The wi-fi was a little slow however.

Looking for a place to have some dessert after finishing having an early dinner, I happened to find…read morethis place by the name of Sugar Cube Cafe. And never in my wildest dreams did I imagine what I would find inside. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Sugar Cube Cafe in Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example. This family-owned Bakery, Cafe, and Gift Shop is located in a small outdoor strip mall across from the Valley View Mall in Roanoke, Virginia. The owners are a husband and wife couple with a very enthusiastic family member who works there welcoming the customers, introducimg its products, and taking the customers orders. From the time I parked my car in the extensive parking lot next to their corner shop, a van parked next to me and it so happened to be the owner of the shop who is of Asian origin. When he saw I was headed the way of the shop, he introduced himself and gave me a warm welcome. Later inside I had the opportunity of meeting his wife and co-owner, who made my Boba Coffee that I ordered. When I entered the shop I was just expecting to find gourmet cupcakes, but what I found besides the wonderful cupcakes, were gourmet cheesecakes, macaroons, bubble coffee and tea, milkshakes, ice creams, mini pancakes, large cookies, and even Ramen Noodles and Udon, among other treats. The shop also had many stuffed animals and Asian dolls and posters and toys. I ordered a Midnight Magic Cupcake and a Boba Coffee with French Vanilla Cream. The Cupcake was $5.00 and the Boba Coffee was $10.00. The items here are not cheap, but they are definitely worth the money. I invite you to view my photographs and videos accompanying my review to get a better sense of the place and its products for sale there. It has a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. And I highly recommend you give them a visit and support their business. You will be happy you did.

Extremely awesome experience! Highly recommend! Staff was amazing, atmosphere was amazing, food…read moreand deserts were great!

This is a to-go hut for morning beverages. It has a few food options but not much that appealed to…read moreme. I went for the seasonal choice: a pumpkin spice chai. The flavor was missing a note or two. I did appreciate the option to get oat milk at no extra charge. Wouldn't go out of my way again, but glad it's there as the region doesn't have a ton of this.

Brand new drive thru coffee shop in Roanoke!…read more Running latte was recently founded by a Roanoke local, and the drive-thru-only coffee stand is situated on Electric Ave. Wide variety of flavors (using natural syrups without dyes!) and options for the coffee lovers and those looking for a sparkling energy drink for the day. Reasonably priced and great customer service! They'll need to continue to improve their speeds if looking for a pick me up before work, but very hopeful for this shop to drive up business soon!

Best matcha of my life. Seriously can't recommend this place strongly enough. We had the pleasure…read moreof stopping in to this gem of a cafe. Service was 100/10 & both the coffee & matcha were out of this world. The ladies who worked there took the time to explain how their matcha is made, give advice on making my own & really were so kind & welcoming. We got breakfast recommendations from a couple of locals and had such an awesome experience we wished we could take the whole place home with us. The place is also absolutely adorable. We loved the children's play area & the photography for sale. Will definitely return if we pass through town again.

I have yet to try any of the baked goods/food that they offer, but I will gladly say I enjoy their…read moredrinks. My favorite menu item is their iced matcha latte with vanilla syrup, always excited to try the seasonal syrups they have in their drinks as well! My partner and I have been a handful of times and have felt extremely welcomed in their space, as well as respected. The baristas are incredibly friendly, and accommodating. The inside is gorgeous, lots of pretty decor and posters, plants, etc, and it's usually pretty full because of how great the atmosphere is. They also showcase other vendors/local artists inside, and occasionally will have evenings dedicated to small activities and sponsor social events. I love this place, and can absolutely recommend it. The ONLY downside is if you have a hard time with street parking!

Really this is the place to meet a friend for coffee. They have pastries from Breadcraft and a nice…read moreselection of beverages. The space is comfortable and nice outside seating options. They have art supplies to choose from or you can bring your own, they also have different sets to choose from. the staff have all been nice and excited to help you.

What an innovative idea, to come up with a neighborhood café where you can enjoy delicious coffee…read moreand pastries, and at the same time create beautiful art. After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Canvas & Coffee Art Café that very reasantly opened in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. I woke up one day inspired to go have breakfast in an out of the ordinary café and while searching the net just happen to find this place that just opened, located at the Grandin Commons off Grandin Road, right next to the Post Office, and off I went with the enthusiasm of the adventure of the journey and thinking what I would find there. And what I found was amazing. Housed in a beautiful restored Victorian house turned Mini-Mall, named Grandin Commons, with six other businesses, was this cozy little café with its entrance on the first floor of the house. As I entered I was impressed with the simple yet elegant decor and its beautifully restored hardwood floors. On one of the walls were three artworks from a local artist in exhibition and for sale. On the other walls were framed blank canvases representing them being open to your artistic imagination. Small square tables and chairs filled the room for customers to sit and enjoy their coffee as they get their creative juices flowing. In the following room was the Café station neatly organized with the menu on the wall and pastries from the very well known bakery Bread Craft, inside a square glass dome. Next to it were the art supplies and different size canvases with price list. Sarah, a friendly and lovely young lady greeted and welcomed me to the Café, and kindly explained how everything worked. You could purchase and size canvas and were provided with the paints. They had both oil paints and watercolor paints. I also found out that you were welcome to come just to have coffee and a pastry and watch how others painted. I explained to her that my art was Photography and that I was there to have breakfast and review the place so that others would find out about it. She loved the idea and took my order of a Mocha Coffee and a Chocolate Croissant. While she prepared my breakfast I looked around and talked with her. The idea to open this place came from her and her husband Esteban. They shared a dream to have a place where creativity, coffee, and community met. A place where people felt truly welcomed and discovered the joy of creating. "Coffee brings us together, and art gives us room to express ourselves." Very true indeed. They also plan to hold events and workshops there, as well as have a rotating exhibition of local artists on the walls of the place. Needless to say, my coffee and chocolate croissant were delicious and I got to meet a very special person with very noble ideas. I highly recommend this place and encourage the community to give them your total support.

This place is SO hipster cool. There are a bunch of mini businesses inside once you enter the…read morecoffee shop. They even have a vintage record shop- so cute There is plenty of seating for studying! My coffee was good and I got in some good hours of studying. Definitely suggest you come here. Upstairs there is cool seating where you can look out the window too while sipping a drink and reading. Great study spot!!!!!

Coffee was good, breakfast sandwiches were great except for the fact that I ordered them on bagels…read moreand discovered they were on sourdough bread when I got home. Staff was helpful and polite but couldn't locate the key for the community bathroom in the mall area. I will go back though next time we visit as it's rare that everything is perfect all the time.

Made to order donuts that were delicious. If you like donuts, you have to try them…read more P.S.- they have more donut options than what's on the website, I recommend ordering when you get there and have a chance to look at the full options

I've been to Duck Donuts before in Virginia Beach, and this on is on par with that one. Hot and…read morefresh donuts, made to order. The selection is great and I like the self-service ordering system, allowed us to take our time. Probably not the best for you, but a great sweet treat!